ROCHESTER, N.Y. — When students return to class in the fall, engaging them with out-of-the-box electives will be what one Rochester charter school does to keep them coming back for more. 

Tyrell Nunes is a senior at Vertus High School. He admits school wasn’t always his favorite, but with classes like music production and acapella singing, he likes school these days.

“It kept like an excitement for school," said Nunes. "All the teachers really helped. I feel like all the electives they brought us helped me stay out of the streets and really helped me stay in school really, “ said Tyrell Nunes, senior at Vertus.

Vertus is built on helping boys in grades 9-12 build courage, leadership and responsibility.

“I am super proud to be a part of this movement,” said Michael James, Vertus High School senior recruiter.

The school added more electives. They are not cookie-cutter curriculum classes. The electives are career and life-skill-focused to boost school attendance. It worked.

“We got them from our students. Our students expressed a desire to grow in different trades and show their creativity. We brought in the music production program, construction, barbering and fishing, “said James.

The class with the longest waitlist is Esports. It’s the first of its kind in a local high school. You play and earn school credit.

“It’s learning how to win and be part of a team and sportsmanship. There are so many things. Just because it’s digitized doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the same benefits as regular sports,” said Lori Bajorek, president of the National Esports Association. “Those are transferable skills into the real world. When I am looking at people that I am hiring I am looking for problem solvers. That is the cool thing about Esports, you are learning to solve problems naturally. “

The average student GPA at Vertus is 3.6. Classes are offered year-round including electives.

Tyrell Nunes is already planning for what’s next after graduation. He’s joining the Navy.